Rose knew she had to leave. As much as she wanted to finish what she came for, Madame Razel wouldn't stop speaking, and now Rose had information she didn't want anything to do with—things she wanted to avoid.
"Madame Razel," Rose cut into her conversation at the slightest chance. "I only came to say hello. I have to go, Mot'er needs me to buy a few things."
"Good timing, I do want to give you something. For the winter. That reminds me, I 'eard Ander lost his job because of ye. Is tha true?" Madame Razel changed the subject again.
Rose felt her back stiffen. Of course, the rumors had gotten this far. She was more surprised that it wasn't what Madame Razel welcomed her with. The problem was, it didn't matter what she told the merchant's wife, it would only fuel the gossip.
"Ander's Mot'er came to mi doorstep a few days ago and she complained about 'ow ye made her son lose his job. I was certain Rose would never do anything like tha. Ye might be angry about the marriage but you wouldn't do anything so cruel. Not with the baby on the way. Ander needs all tha money he can get."
Rose resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands. Every time she strayed away from the topic, Madame Razel brought it right back. She knew keeping quiet might be the best as the merchant's wife would keep talking without her, but Rose didn't want to hear anything about the Olivers.
"Mi husband gave him a job after his mot'er came 'ere. We felt so bad for him."
Rose's eyes widened. Was Ander here? She wasn't running away but she truly would rather not see them. Besides, it wasn't like they wanted to see her too. They could have visited her. Ander only came around when it was dark.
She also thought staying away was best. She wished them happiness and hoped Emma had a safe childbirth, but she doubted she could be in the same room without thinking about what she could have had.
"Ander is working here?" She asked before she could stop herself.
"Aye, starting tomorrow," Madame Razel announced.
Rose couldn't help the relief she felt. She was glad Ander got another job easily and did think it was unfair that he lost the last one, especially after he had worked in the baron's estate for that long.
"That's wonderful," Rose replied and slowly started to take a step back. If she spent even one more moment here, Rose was worried she might hear other information like when the baby was due or how the wedding went.
"I thought so too. I 'ear the young lad is very good with 'orses."
"Yes," Rose said and retreated, and with every step back Madame Razel took one towards her. "I have to go now, Madame Razel."
Rose waved hastily, turning her back before Madame Razel could say another word. "I will pay you a visit another time."
"Wait, Rose. Wouldn't ye at least stay for tea? And the items for winter."
"I will get them another time, Madame Razel," Rose called out. She was at the gate now. A hand lightly pushed against it to open it.
"Give mi love to ye mother," Madame Razel called out.
Rose nodded and slipped through the gate with a loud sigh. She moved her hand to her chest and just stood there for a bit. After a moment, she rushed towards the marketplace and into it.
Rose didn't have a lot to buy, mostly because there wasn't a lot of money. She also didn't have to buy food, as they still had a good amount for some time.
What she mostly wanted to buy was some root vegetables. They had only dried ones and she was hoping to get some carrots, turnips, and some onions. They would go well with the meals she cooked.
Rose tried her best to ignore the stares she got. A few of the women she bought from were polite and asked about her mother, to which she gave a very generic response to all of them. None of them asked more questions and Rose knew it was better to discuss rumors than ask her directly.
When she left the market she was exhausted—both mentally and physically—but at least her basket was full. Rose had also gotten some roasted potatoes. Her mother liked them. Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to get roasted almonds—her mother's favorite snack—but she was sure the roasted potatoes were enough.
Rose pushed the door open and her father looked up. He was sitting across the bench with a half-carved bowl in his hands. "Rose," he called and carefully dropped the bowl.
"Fat'er," Rose greeted back and glanced at the bed. Her mother had fallen asleep.
Noticing her stare, he said, "Yer mot'er just slept. Did ye find it 'ard in tha market?" He asked as he peered at her.
"No," Rose whispered and walked forward. "I bought some roasted potatoes for Mot'er. I will keep them aside for her."
Her father nodded and peered at Rose. "Did somet'ing 'appen in tha market?"
"No, why?" Rose asked as she turned away from her father to place the basket on the floor.
"Ye seem a little red in tha face," her father explained.
"It's the cold," Rose replied immediately.
She didn't think she was particularly affected by what she heard from Madame Razel about Ander and Emma. So it was a little shocking that her father thought something was wrong.
"Ye sure?" he pestered.
"Yes, Fat'er," Rose replied and concentrated her attention on the basket.
She would have to separate some of the root vegetables she had gotten. The carrots and turnips would only last for a few days with the onions lasting longer. Rose would make sure to use them while they were still fresh, starting tonight.
She racked her brain, trying to decide what meal to prepare. She wanted something extravagant. If only there were more money, she would have opted for some beef or chicken. However, they would be so expensive, especially in winter.
There was still some time before she had to start preparing dinner, but she could prep the meal. She wanted to dice the root vegetables, which would make things easier when she was ready to cook.
"Rose, Rose," her father called her for the third time before Rose snapped out of her thoughts.
"Fat'er," she responded and turned to look at him while still hunched over the basket.
"Ye 'ave been bent in tha manner for some time now."
Rose smiled and turned away. "I am fine, Fat'er and you both were right, going out did help."
"Did ye see Madame Razel?" He asked, staring at her oddly.
"Yes. She said to give her love to Mot'er."
"Tha's all?"
Rose shook her head. "She wanted to give us something for the winter but I was in a hurry. I will get it another time. Do you need help?" Rose asked, changing the subject. "I don't 'ave to make dinner for a while."
"Aye," her father said too easily.
Rose frowned as she stood to her full height. She walked to the bench and sat alongside her father. "Won't it crack, Fat'er?" She asked.
It was better to carve with dried wood especially for things like bowls as the wood shrunk when dried, causing cracks and it can leak.
"Aye, but tha merchant says 'e prefers it and I cannot refuse a client's request. However, it will take some time for tha to 'appen."
Rose nodded and just sat there watching her father. He didn't offer her anything to help him with and she suspected he just wanted to sit with her for a bit.
"I know ye don't want to talk about it," her father said after some time. "But I would really like to know 'ow it was stayin' in tha castle?"
"It wasn't too bad, it got easier with time," Rose said, glossing over the details. This was not the first time her father had attempted to have this conversation but he seemed more direct than usual.
"Tha crown prince let ye go?" He asked.
Rose was surprised that this question was only just coming up, but she didn't blame her father. It was clear her time at the castle was not something she wanted to talk about, and each time he tried to bring it up, she would quickly change the subject as she wanted to do right now. But Rose didn't think she would be able to easily bring up the topic of her returning to the prince another time.
"Not really," Rose said reluctantly.
Her father nodded and looked at her eagerly. He didn't even look like he was breathing as he stared at her, afraid that if he moved wrongly Rose might close back up.
"I don't know when he will ask for me, but he said he would."
Her father nodded and bent his eyes to the bowl. "Okay."
"He let me see Mot'er," Rose didn't know why she suddenly had the urge to blurt that out. "That is why he let me go for now."